Chapter 98: Shi Nuo Consumes the Immortal Herb
Fasinuo Province, behind Holy Soul Village.
A plain-looking young boy sat cross-legged at the mountaintop.
At his age, during a crucial stage of physical growth, he lacked proper nutrition. Describing him as sallow and thin couldn't have been more fitting.
Sometimes, having a father doesn't mean you live any better than an orphan.
This boy was Tang San, who had crossed space and time from the land of Bashu to arrive in the Douluo Continent.
He had just begun cultivating the Mysterious Heaven Skill, and his heart brimmed with anticipation for the life ahead.
A gentle breeze brushed against Tang San's messy hair. Practicing the orthodox Daoist inner scripture left his expression calm, as though he had merged with the mountains themselves.
Yet, a sudden sharp pain surged from his heart, shattering the tranquility. The intense twisting sensation made cold sweat pour down his forehead as his face contorted in agony.
"Strange… why does it suddenly feel like I've lost something important?"
"Shouldn't I already be alone in this world?"
"Could it be malnutrition from eating nothing but rice porridge for so long?"
A surge of inexplicable emptiness welled up in Tang San's chest. Suddenly, a terrifying thought struck him.
"No… could it be that Father drank himself to death?"
The only thing he could possibly lose in this life was his negligent father, Tang Hao. The moment the idea took root, Tang San panicked. He used his not-yet-mastered Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track and ran towards home.
Even though Tang Hao could hardly be called a qualified father, Tang San—who longed for familial warmth—constantly worried about his well-being.
He rushed into a dilapidated wooden hut, breathless, and shoved open the inner room's door.
"Father, don't die!"
Bang!
Tang San was sent flying backward by a single punch. He froze, stunned, as he looked up at Tang Hao's face full of impatience.
"What are you yelling about? You unfilial brat—are you hoping your old man dies?"
"No… no, I just thought you…"
"You thought what? Go cook. I'm starving."
"Y-Yes… I'll go make food right away."
Seeing his father unharmed, Tang San finally let out a small sigh of relief, then headed to the shabby kitchen to prepare the usual rice-porridge lunch.
"How strange… then what exactly did I lose?"
---
Traveling by flight using telekinesis, Lin Beiya returned to Spirit City in just three days.
Having already absorbed the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and the Infernal Delicate Apricot, he didn't intend to take the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew immediately. It would be better to wait until the remaining medicinal power in his body settled.
Upon returning to the Spirit Hall, Lin Beiya headed straight to the Pope's Palace to meet Bibi Dong.
"Teacher!"
"So you finally came back?"
Bibi Dong's expression revealed nothing. Lin Beiya couldn't tell whether she cared about him being away in Heaven Dou City for so long.
"Yes. Xue'er encountered some complications in her cultivation, so I was delayed a bit."
Naturally, Lin Beiya had no intention of revealing anything about the immortal herbs. First, because he and his teacher weren't truly of one heart; second, to protect Dugu Bo.
After all, accepting a person's favor only to betray them afterward would be far too dishonorable.
"Mm. How's your new soul ring? Is everything suitable?"
"Quite good. I gained an ability that leads to the Underworld. It's not very helpful in combat, though."
"The Continental Soul Master Tournament is approaching. Are you confident?"
"Don't worry, Teacher. The championship won't fall into anyone else's hands."
After a brief exchange, Lin Beiya handed her the Gemini Gold Card before leaving the Pope's Palace.
Next came the issue of distributing the remaining immortal herbs. Among the team, the only person Lin Beiya could fully trust was Shi Nuo.
Everyone else had their own motives for being close to him. Only Shi Nuo was truly part of his own faction.
And the medicinal effects of the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum were perfectly suited for Shi Nuo to consume, clearing his four limbs and eight Meridians to cultivate an indestructible body, which was especially beneficial for someone with the Vigorous Demon Bull martial soul and access to the Taurus Gold Cloth.
Originally, the most suitable person to take this herb should have been Yue Guan. But there was only one Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, and in terms of closeness, Lin Beiya chose to give it to Shi Nuo instead.
He went to inquire about Ming Xin and learned that Ghost Douluo had already accepted him as a disciple. Lin Beiya was genuinely happy for the young man.
Surely, Ghost Douluo's experience with dark-attribute martial souls would help Ming Xin avoid countless detours.
Likewise, if Ming Xin proved worthy of cultivation, Lin Beiya would eventually give him an appropriate immortal herb as well.
After greeting the team members and informing them of his return, Lin Beiya called Shi Nuo aside.
Inside the dormitory, Lin Beiya didn't bother with hints and directly took out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.
Seeing the purple blossom before him, its petals soft and velvety like fur, Shi Nuo couldn't help showing a trace of confusion.
"Beiya, what is this?"
"The Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
"Huh? Isn't that Elder Chrysanthemum's martial soul?"
Lin Beiya nodded, confirming his guess.
"Yes. Elder Chrysanthemum's martial soul is indeed this flower. But that's not the point."
"This herb opens the meridians and allows one to cultivate an indestructible Vajra body."
"H-Hiss… This… this is for me? Isn't it too precious?"
He didn't know where Lin Beiya obtained such a rare immortal herb, but the effects alone made its value obvious. Shi Nuo hesitated heavily.
Lin Beiya didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked something meaningful:
"Shi Nuo… if one day, I can no longer stay in the Spirit Hall, what would you do?"
"Huh? Why would that happen?"
"But… if you really couldn't stay here anymore, then of course I'd follow you."
Lin Beiya smiled with relief, then stuffed the chrysanthemum into Shi Nuo's hands.
"That's enough. I've already taken other immortal herbs. This one won't benefit me much anymore. It's better in your hands."
"You don't want to keep being the one who drags the team down, do you?"
"…Alright. I won't let you down."
Shi Nuo hesitated for only a second before accepting. He was tired of hiding behind Lin Beiya every time danger appeared—especially when they had sworn to face hardship side by side.
Lin Beiya's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"I believe in you."
"Just consume it directly. I'll protect you during the process."
"Okay."
Shi Nuo immediately sat cross-legged and swallowed the chrysanthemum. Golden light surged through his body as he began circulating his soul power to absorb its medicinal essence.
Taking the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum was nothing like the perilous Infernal Delicate Apricot or the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass. It simply required patience and constant refinement.
Lin Beiya sat cross-legged as well, covering the entire dormitory with his spiritual power while constructing a crystal wall around Shi Nuo.
That way, no one would disturb the absorption process.
---
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. The immortal herb's absorption was nearing completion. A faint golden radiance coated Shi Nuo's exposed skin, proving that the herb was subtly reshaping his physique.
As he opened his eyes, excitement—impossible to conceal—overflowed from his expression.
"Beiya, my body has gotten so much stronger! Not just tougher—my flexibility improved a lot too!"
"And my soul power has already reached Rank 38."
---
End of Chapter